Rio Fined For 'Choc Ice' Twitter Comment

Rio Ferdinand has been fined £45,000 by the Football Association for comments he made on Twitter about the John Terry racism trial.

The FA's Independent Regulatory Commission found him guilty of improper conduct after he endorsed a comment about Chelsea defender Ashley Cole.

During the trial, the Manchester United defender received a message on his Twitter account describing Cole as a "choc ice" - a term understood to mean someone black on the outside, but white on the inside.

He wrote back, saying: "I hear you fella! Choc ice is classic hahahahah!!"

Chelsea captain Terry was cleared last month of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Anton, during a match against QPR last October.

Image:Ashley Cole arriving at John Terry's trial

Cole gave evidence on behalf of Terry during the trial.

A statement from the FA said: "The commission decided that the comment was improper and brought the game into disrepute.

Video:Ferdinand In Twitter Race Row

"In addition, the commission found that the breach included a reference to ethnic origin, colour or race.

"Ferdinand was fined £45,000 and warned as to his future conduct."

The fine is the equivalent to nearly three days' pay for the Man United star.